U.S. Surgeon General Aids Passenger in Distress

By Debbie Gregory.

Jerome Adams, the U.S. surgeon general, was headed to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson to participate in a discussion regarding the opioid epidemic with Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant and a panel of experts. But he was called into action prior to arriving at his destination.

Answering the question, “Is there a doctor onboard?” on Delta flight 1827, Adams aided an ailing passenger who had a medical situation that required attention. No one expected the nation’s top doc to tend to the patient, but Adams said, “I was glad to be able to assist!”

In a statement, Delta said, ““Prior to takeoff, Delta flight 1827 from Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta returned to the gate following a customer illness. Medical assistance was provided by the U.S. Surgeon General who worked with our flight crew to aid the customer,” the company said in a statement. “Delta thanks the Surgeon General for volunteering his services in assisting this customer.”

“On my @Delta flight to Jackson, Mississippi (by way of Atlanta), and they asked if there was a Doctor on board to help with a medical emergency- why yes- yes there was,” Adams posted on his Twitter page @Surgeon_General. “Patient doing well and like a good #USPHS officer, I was glad to be able to assist!”

Mississippi Gov. Bryant also offered up praise, tweeting, “Nice job, Dr. Adams!”

Adams said he was proud to represent his agency, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. An anesthesiologist, he was previously Indiana’s health commissioner.

On June 29, 2017, President Trump nominated Adams to become Surgeon General of the United States. Adams was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 3, 2017. He assumed office on September 5, 2017.

Upon his confirmation, Adams noted that addressing the opioid epidemic along with untreated mental illness would be two of his major priorities.

David Laiderman